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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-04-22 Committee of the Whole Minutes6:31 p.m. 6:59 p.m. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL April 22, 2002 Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers 6:30 p.m. Executive Session 30 Minutes Potential Land Purchase Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(b) Executive Session commenced. Executive Session adjourned. CALL TO ORDER /PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Calling the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m., Council President Richard Simpson led the flag salute. COUNCIL ATTENDANCE: COMMITTEE OF WHOLE MEETING 7:00 p.m. Present were Council President Richard Simpson; and Councilmembers Joe Duffie, Joan Hernandez, Pam Carter, Jim Haggerton, Pamela Linder, and David Fenton. OFFICIALS: Steven M. Mullet; Mayor; John McFarland, City Administrator; Lucy Lauterbach, Legislative Analyst; Bob Baker Deputy City Clerk; Jim Morrow, Public Works Director; Brian Shelton, City Engineer; Frank lriarte, Public Works Coordinator; and Michael Cusick, Associate Engineer. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: a. Preservation of Poverty Hill Michelle Connor, Director, Cascade Land Conservancy Michelle Connor. Director, Cascade Land Conservancy, 615 2 Ave. Suite 104. Seattle, explained the purpose of the Cascade Land Conservancy (hereinafter referred to as Conservancy) and detailed various projects with which they are associated. Of interest to many citizens who contacted the Conservancy is the Poverty Hill area within the City Of Tukwila. Sharing a conceptual drawing of a passive park on the hill, Ms. Connor noted much support has been received. Concerned residents and the City's own Parks Department agree the hill should be preserved in some fashion. Funding, however, is not readily available. Therefore, the Conservancy and community members are diligently trying to raise funds and obtain grants to preserve it. Ms. Connor informed Council and the audience that applications to develop the site (to include at least one warehouse) have been withdrawn. To date, no other applications for development have been received /filed. Georgina Kerr. 3834 So. 116 Street. Tukwila, called the hill a "living museum" which must be preserved. The area, rich with history, is a sacred site to several Indian tribes. Foster High School students will perform a play in May detailing the history of the hill (backward in time) from the current date. Ms. Kerr reminded the Council that the hill is 35.5 million years older than Mount Rainier and contains some 40- million year -old marine fossils unique to western Washington. The fossils serve as the only record of the ancient marine life and environment of Puget Sound. Suki Sutton. 5607 SW Snoaualmie Street. Seattle. spoke in favor of preserving the hill. leffrev Gould. hill resident. Tukwila. maintains a hill on the trail. He has learned the value of topography on the hill and is willing to share it with anyone who visits. He, too, spoke in favor of the hill's preservation. City of Tukwila City,Council Committee of Whole Minutes b. Tacoma Smelter Plume Project Update Washington State Department of Ecology Page 2 of 4 April 22, 2002 Bas Leen, Beacon Hill resident„ 13 years old; spoke of enjoying his visits to the hill and noted importance in preserving the land. Rosemary Untescher, 4110 So. 114 Tukwila, referred to the site as sacred and has learned of the rich cultural history of the hill in her years as a resident. She noted the future of the hill is in its education. Describing the hill as part of the cultural and ecological makeup of Tukwila, Ms. Connor noted a proposal for a stewardship coalition to manage the site. It is also proposes the coalition would serve as a catalyst in bringing up fossils and other historical artifacts from the site. Carol Watson, 3906 So. 114 Tukwila, stated her concern with noise emanating from the nearby Police firing range. She has concerns the hill won't be as peaceful as others might believe because of the firing range. Daniel Leen, Beacon Hill resident. noted a realization that the hill may be noisy at times; yet can still appreciate the green belt and the beaver lodge contained thereon. He noted a feeling of peacefulness exists when on the hill and spoke in favor of its preservation. Ms. Kerr noted they are "moving full speed ahead" in acquiring grant funds to make the dream of preserving the hill a reality. Molly Gibbs, Washington State Department of Ecoloev, provided Council and the audience with information relative to Tacoma Smelter Plume Project. The Department of Ecology (hereinafter referred to as the Department) acknowledges the safety and health of people as a primary concern. There are highly complex and interdependent issues involved, thus creating a need for local government support and community outreach for a successful outcome. An ongoing investigation by the Department has begun. They are researching soil contamination resulting from air emissions from the old Asarco smelter. Desirous of protecting human health and the environment from risks associated with the low level, area -wide contamination, the Department will continue their investigation for decades to come. Keeping local governmental entities and community members informed with the project status is very important in the Department's long -term goal of developing solutions to manage contamination. Ms. Gibbs shared historical -use data of the smelter; defined a site hazard assessment and informed those present that arsenic is a primary contaminant of concern. She noted a lesser concern exists with lead in soils and water. While arsenic and lead have been found in soil over a large area of southwestern King County, the land closest to the smelter is more greatly affected than outlying areas. Interestingly, however, the contaminants follow wind patterns and are found north, south, east and west of the former plant. Very importantly, Ms. Gibbs noted there is no immediate health threat in the water or soil in non developed areas where soil has been sampled. It's the topography that affects contamination (slopes /floodplains). Additionally, developed areas generally have lower concentrations than non developed areas and none has been found in samples taken down to 18 inches below ground surface. Due to the number of soil samplings being quite low, the variability is too high to extrapolate and predict concentrations at unsampled properties. One, or a few soil samples may not be sufficient to characterize a single property. Therefore, results may be biased low due to sparse sampling density. At this time, there is a voluntary cleanup program available to homeowners at a minimum cost. Community members are encouraged to visit the website of the Department to learn more about this prospect. The website address is www.ecv.wa.gov Questions relative to health, safety and well being were addressed. Ms. Connor noted several suggestions for continued safety. Children are discouraged from eating dirt (PICA children eat "an incredible amount" of City of Tukwila City Council Committee of Whole Minutes Page 3 of 4 April 22, 2002 soil); HEPA vacuums are not necessary; pets' feet should be wiped clean regularly if they come into the family home; raised flower, vegetable, garden beds are advisable, but not required; discontinue use of arsenic treated (CCA) wood; and finally, vegetables and tree fruit foods should be washed before eating while carrots and other root produce should be peeled before eating. CITIZEN COMMENT /CORRESPONDENCE: None. SPECIAL ISSUES: a. Val Vue Sewer District's Bid Award for Construction of the Duwamish Revitalization Improvements to low- bidder Shoreline Construction Company Jim Morrow, Public Works Director, asked Council to approve the proposed bid award for construction of the Duwamish Revitalization project. The joint project between the City and Val Vue will provide water, sewer, curb and gutter, storm drainage, pavement widening and overlay, and landscape restoration to the Duwamish neighborhood. It is anticipated work will be done during this construction season. The low bid award amount is under budget ($1,546,302.74), and provides for an adequate contingency. For action, Council consensus existed to forward this item to the May 6, City Council Regular meeting. b. Airport Communities Coalition's (ACC) Request for Additional Funding in 2002 Discussion was held by each Councilmember as to their desire to contribute additional dollars to ACC. Discussing the pros and cons, Councilmembers Haggerton, Linder, Carter, and Hernandez spoke in favor of additional, financial support in 2002. Councilmembers Fenton and Duffie spoke in opposition to continued funding. Anna Bernhard. Tukwila resident. spoke in opposition to contributing $50,000.00 and suggested a contribution of $25,000.00 for the remainder of 2002. For action, Council consensus existed to forward this item to the May 6, City Council Regular meeting. REPORTS: a. Mayor Mayor Mullet reported on a recent family vacation to Connecticut. b. Council Councilmember Duffie had no report. Councilmember Hernandez reported attendance to the April 18 Apartment Managers' Network meeting. Council President Simpson had no report. Councilmember Carter reported attendance to the April 16 SCATBd meeting; April 17 Regional Transit Committee and April 18 Suburban Cities and ICP meetings. Councilmember Haggerton attended the previously mentioned ICP meeting with Councilmember Carter. Councilmember Linder attended the April 16 guided tour for elected officials to the quarantined area of the Longhorned Citrus Beetle, and a Utilities Committee meeting on the same day. Councilmember Fenton attended the April 16 Utilities Committee meeting as well as the April 18 Apartment Managers' Network meeting. City of Tukwila City Council Committee of Whole Minutes 8:58 p.m. c. City Staff John McFarland reported on a meeting between David St. Pierre (Assistant City Attorney), Jim Morrow (Public Works Director), Steve Lancaster (Community Development Director) and himself. Discussions centered around issues of tree remediation within the affected quarantine areas /radiuses relative to the Citrus Longhorned Beetle. Further discussions between those mentioned and the Washington State Department of Ecology will be held. c. Intergovernmental Lucy Lauterbach, Legislative Analyst, reminded Council of the Joint School Board /City of Tukwila meeting on May 2; as well as a lunch with local legislators on May 3. MISCELLANEOUS: None. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None. RECESS TO SPECIAL MEETING: Page 4 of 4 April 22, 2002 FENTON MOVED; HERNANDEZ SECONDED; TO RECESS THE COMMITTEE OF WHOLE MEETING TO CONSIDER THE SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA. The motion carried 7 -0. Richard Simpson, Coui President Ro.+ent, a-! 13�r,�,t eti Robert H. Baker, CMC, Deputy City Clerk Date minutes signed: May 6. 2002